"The Kingdom Rolls On" (1 Peter 2:18-25)

Introduction

As we move into another year, the work of the Kingdom of God rolls on! As God’s church here in this locality, with our unique mission, we are called to participate in what God wants to bring about. We will be listening to God’s Holy Spirit for guidance and the best use of our resources. This will need to be a team effort, where everyone’s role is important. If you are visiting from another church, this surely would be true for your situation and context as well.

The Kingdom of God is NOT under threat – quite the opposite. Brady Boyd writes, “Each generation has moments when it seems the world is about to suffocate the teachings of Jesus, but the light of truth always overcomes darkness”. We read that the message of the Kingdom is so strong, prevalent and impacting, that even if everyone was quiet, the “stones” would shout out about Jesus (Luke 19:40).

Yet God chooses to call us to partner with Jesus in his mission – this is all part of embracing a growing relationship with God. [I added here the slightly cynical comment … at the very least, we shouldn’t get in God’s way!] We are to engage with people in our neighbourhood with love and grace. R C Sproul wrote, “Everything that the church does today and tomorrow matters and counts forever”.

We need to ‘honour’ the ‘public space’ that we occupy – openly and honestly bearing true witness to Jesus the Christ. We can be quite intentional in our ‘presence’: as we ourselves embrace God, grow in faith, and are sensitive to the Holy Spirit in our daily journey – a redemptive witness will start to overflow into all our various conversations with others.

Saying No to Defensiveness

So, this is NOT the time to be defensive or negative. We can so easily react unhelpfully, when events are seemingly against us. We can say the wrong things … that turn people away … words we just can’t take back; and we can judge in a way people will no longer be interested in anything we have to say. It’s simply NOT the time to be defensive. Jesus does NOT say, ‘Come follow me and we’ll barricade ourselves away in safety from the world’. If this is ever said, taught, modelled or done – this is a divergence from the Gospel – Jesus’ Gospel of incarnation and engagement!

There is NEVER a time to be defensive or negative. This will get us nowhere, be completely counter-productive, and defeat us. And, to be worrying unduly about religious rights and freedoms can become a total distraction, and we know where distractions like this come from. Anything to divert us from the mission of God, which has such great potential for seeing people come to know Jesus.

To be defensive or negative destroys the gracious work of God in the world. This is especially so when it leads us into fear about people. Yes, there are certain people who will want to hurt us, but when we then label whole groups of people because of the evil of certain ones, we have been led down an ungodly track, that then in turn disrupts God’s deep desires to reconcile with people of all nations, and bring them into his beautifully diverse Kingdom.

And, in the end, God can look after Himself. There are many debates we can and should enter, but we need to do so in the right spirit, with an understanding about where other people are coming from, and with good clear positive contributions to make. We should never discount or deny the church’s failings, particularly when people’s trust has been abused and destroyed. At the same time, there has been many good stories and achievements in God’s church, in terms of the provision of support for those otherwise neglected by society.

Persecution as the Norm

Actually, the Bible knows nothing about religious freedoms (as we might define them), it is a book entirely about SPIRITUAL freedom – knowing God in grace. This is largely in the context of difficult times and challenging circumstances. What will lead us through and take us forward? Simply, the quality and integrity of our relationship with God!

When the people of Israel lost their way with God, they often finished in exile. The way back from exile was never through political or military means, but always through a heart and mind returned to a focus wholly on Yahweh … their loving Creator. And God was always, through His prophets offering the ‘olive-branch’ of restoration; and always at the right time, after a lesson or two had been learnt, God fulfilled His promises.

And then, Jesus never asked to be defended, or to be rescued from the cross – quite the opposite. In one account, Jesus ministered to one of the soldiers arresting him, by healing his ear injured at the time. Jesus forgave those crucifying him, because they didn’t know what they were doing. This all had a major impact on one particular Roman soldier, who declared Jesus to be surely God’s Son. Sacrificial service was what Jesus was all about – born in modest circumstances; and thirty-three years later, riding in to Jerusalem for the last time, not on a mighty horse, but rather a humble donkey.

What the Bible does know about … is persecution. Persecution comes to those who seek to live out truth (and good values) against cultural resistance. In following Jesus, the norm will be opposition, and in the worst of circumstances … persecution. The classic text on this is Matthew 5:10-12 …

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

And it’s interesting that the famous sayings of Jesus regarding being the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” directly follow this! It will be as we faithfully work through such opposition and persecution in creative ways, that we will grow in our trust-relationship with God, and also see growth in the church. It is NOT through preferential treatment that we will grow, but through integrity under threat.

Students of history will know that the church easily lost its way back in the fourth century when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman empire. The church became entangled in the state, and thus lost its cutting edge redemptive influence. Truth becomes compromised, when it gets entangled with national political agendas. As Martin Luther King Jnr stated, the church CANNOT be either the master or the servant of the state, only its conscience.

We do need to recapture the essence of the church expressed in the early chapter of Acts. The early church knew nothing of the advantages of Christendom, which is, of course, instructive to us … as old ‘entitlements’ are now swept away. This actually brings great opportunities! Under misunderstanding and persecution, the early church were focussed and faithful, and grew strongly and quickly.

“Historically, Christians have most influenced society, not as some sort of ‘moral majority’, but [rather] as a life-giving love-driven minority” (author Scott Sauls quoted by Paul Cameron). “The Christian life is NOT about safety and comfort, but rather about finding yourself in a dangerous place of vulnerable compassion” (Ed Stetzer – as quoted last Sunday).

The Example of Slavery

And we do need to listen to first century New Testament writing like in the letters of Peter, to understand the context in which the church lived out its faith and witness. It will then be, as we sense the leading of the Holy Spirit in the cut and thrust of 21^st century life, that we will be able to graciously, patiently and effectively tackle the evils and injustices that appear … and dominate around us. Our call is to love our neighbour … pure and simple! If we want to defend God, or our view of God, or our view of God’s ways, there is only one true way of doing so – loving our neighbour!!

Slavery was a cultural norm in the first century Roman world, just as it was accepted or tolerated across the centuries and across the world. This rightly offends us today here in Australia. The evil practices within slavery actually got worse, before in some countries it was legislated against. Commentators consider the slavery of 19^th century America far worse that what we had in 1^st century Palestine (where often “slaves” were treated quite reasonably).

To be a “slave” generally means that you have no rights, you are entirely subservient to another seen as your better, with the impact of being treated as sub-human (which often meant unspeakable torture). And of course modern forms of slavery are still rife in the world. Peter here uses slavery as a backdrop for his teaching on discipleship – how to live out faith in general society.

The New Testament doesn’t critique slavery directly – some commentators explaining this by suggesting that any mass slave-rebellion would have brought a severe response. However, we know that Paul taught that all those that came within the church were equal whether “slave or free” (Gal 3:28), which should have been enough for a much earlier end to institutionalised slavery, especially in enlightened nations.

We CANNOT defend slavery as in any way good, but we can learn what the New Testament, in its time, is trying to say to those who were the victims of this practice … in terms of their Christianity (referring particularly to 1 Peter 2:18-25):

1. Those who were “slaves” were to remember their SPIRITUAL freedom. They had an experience of Jesus in their lives, and no matter their life situation, in their spirit they were free. This makes all the difference about how they view themselves, and also their role in life. Also, the notion of being accepted by God through forgiveness of their sin, would at least lift some of the humiliation that they lived under.

They might be in quite abusive and unjust situations, but what Jesus has done for each of them, has meant … that whilst they may be in chains physically, they are FREE internally in their SPIRIT. In fact, they could reflect on Jesus himself, who voluntarily became enslaved to the will of humanity … to the point of execution on a cross – which, significantly, was also the fate of disobedient slaves!

Because it was God performing this, meant that those who accepted this gift of grace became free … where it counts the most. There is a great release here – liberation – simply trusting ourselves to God! Trusting God can go against our human inclination toward independence and self-protection, but it remains the way to real freedom.

Whilst we would never regard ourselves as “slaves”, we can all empathise with living in a world that is far from the way God intended it to be. There is violence, greed and hate around us, which upsets us, and sometimes will even touch us. We remember, though, that as we are first and foremost a citizen of God’s heavenly Kingdom, above any nationalistic identity, we are recipients of a spiritual freedom which means we are never enslaved to anyone or anything, apart from service to others in God’s name. So for all these reasons … we endure, and keep on doing what is good and right.

2. Those who were “slaves” were also to live in a particularly notable way. And that ‘particularly notable way’ … involved following the example of Jesus – who did NOT strike out at his opponents who mocked him, nor retaliate in any way to those who scourged him, but rather loved and forgave them. In this, I find verse 23 quite stunning. This is the pattern, this will always be the biblical Jesus-like approach – to entrust ourselves to God … who understands everything. God knows us, and has our back, and will ultimately vindicate us … if not in this life, then for sure through eternity! Thus, it is much better to find purpose in suffering, even unjust suffering, than to fall into despair and resentment.

It could be that Peter refers to “slaves” particularly, because it could be their example, under immense pressure, that provides sufficient motivation for Jesus-followers … who were free citizens … to live worthy lives. Earlier in this chapter (v 12), Peter wrote about us living such good lives in our community, that, though some may accuse us of wrong doing, they will ultimately see our undoubted good deeds, and come to eventually glorify God. Now that is a word for today!

So, we are to accept every and all opportunity for ministry to others, reassured, that in those situations that are far from ideal or seemingly against us, Jesus has gone there before us. We live in “righteousness” (or ‘live rightly’), with nothing to seek revenge for, because we have been accepted, forgiven and healed by God through Jesus. We are in the company of the “shepherd and guardian of our souls” (v.25).

Sometimes, perhaps most times, we will need to remove ourselves from situations and places of abuse, but we should know that the terrible things that have happened to us … do NOT define us, for we have a spiritual freedom that no one can take away; and if we feel in anyway depleted by such experiences, we can be restored and re-created in the loving arms of Jesus – who knew suffering and death, but then experienced a resurrection – a resurrection that is shared with us!

Conclusion

We are on the victory side! It could be that in 2018, we live like we’re on the victory side. Not in any form of triumphalism, nor superiority, for there is too much brokenness in the world that needs addressing … there are so many people who are struggling or lost, who need to know Jesus in their lives. This means we will be humble and gentle travellers on the journey of life, connecting, as we have opportunity, with those souls needing a shepherd and guardian.

We’ll live like we’re on the victory side, because we’ll notice how God is working in our lives, through our struggles, to make us more like Jesus. As we follow Jesus in everyday life, grow in our mission, thrive in our faith-relationship with God, we will also come to triumph over any less than ideal circumstances. We will express our spiritual freedom in more and more ways.

Our giftings from the Holy Spirit will start to shine out; and our role within the Body of Christ will become more clear. We are then well-placed to tackle the defeat of any evil and injustice that crosses our path. The Kingdom of God rolls on, begging us to get involved. We prayerfully look forward into God’s future, and faithfully seek His guidance into our part of that … all the way with a positive mindset! Amen!

Christmas Day message - "Worship King Jesus" (Luke 2:15-20, Matthew 2:7-12)

The most appropriate first response to Jesus … is worship. Jesus came into the world as a ‘king’ – a different sort of a king … but a king nonetheless. We will increasingly learn more about Jesus, and begin to follow him more closely (in life), but our first port-of-call is to worship him.

The first recorded people to worship Jesus were the shepherds. We read in Luke 2:20,

The shepherds returned [to their fields], glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

They didn’t worship the baby Jesus so much in person, although they may have done just that. It was the whole scene, tied in with the significant news they had been given, that thoroughly impressed them, and led them into a chorus of worship. Much more important than the baby, was the person Jesus was going to grow up to be, and what he would do with his life.

The worship of the shepherds was entirely a witness to what God was doing in the world. And it was a mobile worship, it travelled wherever they travelled! The “Messiah”, the “Saviour of the world”, the One who would be our “Lord” had come (2:11). Peace was coming (2:14). And the biggest news of all, was that this had been specially revealed to humble, insignificant, poor shepherds. If this news came particularly to them, then this news was for everyone! This was certainly an occasion for much worship and celebration.

We read of another group who worshipped Jesus. These were the ‘Magi’ – gentile astrologers – interested in a star guiding them toward the birthplace of a significant historical figure – the “king of the Jews’. After a long journey, and a developing understanding of who this child was – they worshipped. They not only knelt in respect, but they also “opened their treasure chests” (Matthew 2:11). Here were presents … not to be confused with socks, jocks and hankies (as important as these can be).

These were gifts that wholly engaged with who Jesus was, and the ministry he would perform. Gold – a gift acknowledging royalty, frankincense – speaking of a priestly role in offering a sacrifice for sin, myrrh – used in preparation for a burial. This life of Jesus will be one of wise kingly leadership, deep spiritual service, and the ultimate sacrifice. And there was one more act of worship – rather than saying anything to the treacherous Herod, they acknowledged real ‘kingship’ by heading home by another road (2:12). These men were wise because they took the path of God’s will.

Will we worship Jesus this Christmas, and do the same each day that follows?? Worshipping Jesus involves:

• accepting who Jesus is, and what that means for who we are – we are broken and Jesus is our Saviour
• responding to Jesus as our ‘King’ and as our Lord – responding to his glory and majesty; not because he lords it over us, but because he comes to us as a suffering servant … redeeming us for God
• bringing the gift of ourselves, and all that we own, and all that we have to give – the best of what lies in our ‘treasure chests’ … all that will point to Jesus as being the most significant person in life
• proclaiming loud and clear to all and sundry that Jesus is the one that covers our needs and meets our dreams
• advancing the Kingdom of God … by living lives of integrity committed to those teachings and attitudes to life that Jesus brought.

So in the midst of any other celebrations, including feasting, the giving and receiving of presents, wishing all those around us a happy Christmas – let’s remember to worship Jesus himself. Not so much the baby of the nativity, but the person the baby grew up to be – Jesus Christ of Nazareth – Saviour of the World!

"No Fixed Address" (Matthew 8:18-22)

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”.

Strange Christmas text you may think! But what might this verse link to???

The Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke are exciting and encouraging,

but they are also designed to lead us into deep considerations of who Jesus is!

1. “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son … and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). There was no particular room for Jesus to be born in. Jesus would have a modest and humble birth in no place to speak of. Even though there was not enough beds in town due to the census of the time, this could still be seen as a discourtesy to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, with all the good accommodation going to the well-to-do – but it also makes total sense … in the context of the whole Jesus story!

Like so many parts of the nativity stories, we can see this ‘lack of place’ as indicative of the type of life Jesus would live. Born in Bethlehem, having to flee to Egypt as a refugee, growing up in Nazareth – yet rejected there as an adult, a 3-year itinerant ministry around Palestine … eating in many different homes, moving about in boats on sometimes stormy seas, spending time in so many different towns, facing opposition and rejection, praying wherever he could, then dying in Jerusalem.

Whatever the reference (in Luke’s narrative) to an “inn” means … in terms of the actual place where we read there was “no room”, we can gauge that Jesus was born in the least comfortable part of that property. The description of Jesus being laid in a “manger” (or a ‘feeding trough’), certainly indicates the presence of animals. So this could have been a stable, barn, or a cave used to house animals; or perhaps a basement type area … where animals had cover; or conversely, just outside in the elements. This could be viewed as pretty close to being born on the street! Again, the emphasis is on modest beginnings; far different to the confines of a royal palace, and to what the religious elite and Roman officials enjoyed.

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”. As people begin to consider the origin and significance of Jesus, they would come to understand that he was a different sort of king … than what they were used to, and indeed expected (in terms of the coming of a Messiah). The “Son of Man”, whilst being God, would be just an everyday type of guy … who connected well with everyday type of people! Jesus’ itinerant life of service would contrast with the settled power of the elite.

2. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14a), or as The Message famously translates, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood”. The sense of this is Jesus “pitching his tent” in the neighbourhood, or we might say here in Bright, that Jesus ‘parked his caravan’ amongst us. Jesus came in a fashion that was mobile … house to house, and community to community. By the time John’s Gospel was written late in the 1^st century, the focus had moved from just Palestine to the wider region of Asia Minor. The Gospel had spread from Galilee to Rome. The birth of Jesus had become universally significant. Jesus had moved into the neighbourhood – every neighbourhood … including ours. Jesus is not limited to anywhere, because he is everywhere.

Jesus was able to freely share his message of salvation across many different towns, finding many people who were ready to listen and respond. And Jesus immersed himself deeply within the prevailing culture with all graciousness, expressing truth without being hurtfully judgmental. Jesus honoured the public space with expressions of acceptance and hospitality. For example, the Samaritan woman at the well (in John 4), who despite a very chequered history with relationships, was able to have her deep ‘thirst’ quenched by the ‘living water’; and then herself become a witness to Jesus. Later, the woman who was allegedly caught in adultery, and about to be stoned (in John 8), was given another chance in life through Jesus challenging the undoubted sinfulness of her accusers.

Then there was the prostitute (in Luke 7) who responded to Jesus’ appearance by bathing his feet in her tears, dried them with her hair, then anointed them with ointment. There was the hated tax collector Zacchaeus who Jesus wanted to eat with (in Luke 19), who subsequently committed to giving away his wealth in repentance for his thievery. There was the criminal on the cross next to Jesus (in Luke 23), who acknowledged his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence, and as a result was given a ticket to paradise. Not to mention all the blind, lame and demon-possessed that received new life opportunities … all across the region. And, as he witnessed the scene of the cross, there was the Roman Centurion who declared Jesus to surely be God’s Son (in Mark 15). This is the impact Jesus had as he roamed his neighbourhood.

What we say about place, we could say about time. Jesus is not only an everywhere man, but also eternal (right across our time spectrum). The Word (Jesus) was with God at the beginning. The risen Jesus said, “And remember, I will be with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20b). Jesus would be with us, on an ongoing basis, through the Holy Spirit bearing witness to him in us. Jesus went on to say, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus lives on, not only in heaven, but also in the lives of his disciples. And then, a few verses later in Acts chapter 1, we read, “This Jesus, who has been taken up into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (1:11b). Jesus is free to roam place and time.

This is all about a witness to the presence of Jesus in real life on earth in each generation. Being a witness to Jesus is to be acting as he would act and live as he would live. At the other end of John’s Gospel we read these deep impacting words of Jesus, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). As we go in Jesus’ name, this points to the reality of Jesus, and to the fact that he is alive.

There is no more impacting understanding of this than the parable we read in Matthew chapter 25. In describing how the true disciple of his behaves, Jesus says (25:34-40):

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”.

So this is a case of the Jesus in me (and the Jesus in you) … engaging with the Jesus seen in another person. Jesus is everywhere to be seen … everywhere to be encountered. This is especially so as we encounter the normally ‘unwelcome’, and the regularly ‘unappreciated’ – the “least of these”. It’s when we see the possibility of Jesus in others, that they might begin to see Jesus in us.

This brings us back to – “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”. This saying itself was given while Jesus was on the move in the midst of his 3-year ministry. He had just healed Peter’s mother-in-law of her fever. When word got around where Jesus was, he healed all those who turned up. This was a busy and strenuous time. You would have thought that a comfortable bed back in Nazareth, or in a quiet room upstairs at Peter’s place, would have been on Jesus’ mind. But, no. Jesus went as far as taking his boat over to the other side of the lake … to beat the pressing crowds. Yet even then … he was confronted by a “scribe”, who may have unexpectedly had thoughts of following this Jesus … who could heal the way he did.

As said earlier, there were many interested in Jesus’ message, and one of these was even this “scribe” – a religious leader of the time. This “scribe” was thinking of breaking away from his group to follow Jesus. But was he really up for it?! To follow Jesus, to be his disciple, means living as Jesus lived, adopting the priorities and attitudes he taught and modelled. Yet it is likely that this “scribe”, and many others, had the thought that this Jesus was eventually going to use his power to overthrow the Romans and bring in his Kingdom by force. No such thing! This was a spiritual movement … grown through changing hearts and minds from the bottom up.

The scribe’s enquiry, brought the opportunity for Jesus to explain what it would mean for anyone who wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus’ itinerant ministry, being an everywhere person, was the new normal for his followers as well. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you”. Comfort is NOT promised nor assured. As Ed Stetzer puts it, “The Christian life is NOT about safety and comfort, but rather about finding yourself in a dangerous place of vulnerable compassion”. Part of our discipleship is being willing to be ‘stretched’, and thereby grow.

Even other responsibilities may have to be left behind, or at the very least, brought into a different perspective. Check out verses 21-22. As in that culture, burials happened very quickly after death, this could mean … that this particular person, wanted to finish his period of grieving first. More likely though, his father was still alive, and, before following an itinerant Jesus, he wanted to wait for his father to die first, no matter how long that might be away. It could be days away, or years away! This is somewhat understandable, given the cultural obligation toward parents in vogue here; but, there could be quite a delay!!

The response we get from Jesus is stark, shocking, maybe even brutal – certainly impacting … with Jesus overriding such religious and social obligations … saying, “… let the dead bury their own dead”! A tough saying – but I reckon we must give this due attention, and I’ll give it a go! This could mean that those who aren’t associating with Jesus, and might be regarded ‘spiritually dead’ or perhaps ‘spiritually disinclined’, should be left to deal with such tasks (as burying the dead); and thus ‘disciples’ are free to follow Jesus elsewhere.

Or, this is more of a throw-away line … denoting that the concerns of Jesus are all around the living, and only the dead should worry about the dead. We could imagine that the original listeners would have been gobsmacked, given the cultural priority given to providing for a parent’s burial. Yet Jesus often realigned cultural or religious priorities toward the real priorities of the Kingdom of God. As well, Jesus knows human nature well – Jesus probably knew this person well enough to know, that if he delayed like this (until his father’s eventual death), he would actually never really come to follow Jesus! We should never put off following Jesus, or we will continue to find reasons not to! In effect, Jesus responded that this person had things around the wrong way! The time to follow Jesus is always now.

Doing God’s will and advancing the Kingdom of God is paramount, above even the most pressing human duties. Do you recall the only recorded incident when Jesus was a young boy? When Jesus was twelve, he stayed behind at the temple when his parents had started to make the trek home. When asked for his reasons, Jesus said boldly, we may even say precociously, “Why were you searching for me – did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house” (Luke 2:49). As an adult, Jesus upset his (largely unbelieving) family by saying that his real family were those who were likewise intent on doing God’s will (Matthew 12:46-50).

This is not to say that we can’t live in a home or build a family, far from it, but it DOES say … that we need to be (freely) responsive to God’s Holy Spirit leading into all sorts of situations and places, that may have not have been our first choice, and that may have a sacrificial impact. This is especially so while opportunity knocks! We need to follow Jesus first, and then address other life and family matters in the context of (already) being this Jesus-follower. We will never adequately address difficult family situations, or even build our family with a strong faith foundation, if we step aside from first and foremost being a Jesus-follower.

Jesus is saying to be careful not to get things around the wrong way, and thereby lose our way with him. Our first allegiance is always to Jesus. This remains the case, even when the modelling of Jesus-following around us has sometimes been lowered in its impact or simply become ‘hollow’. We should delve deep into Jesus ourselves, and never be deterred from doing so (by the apathy of others). Craig Keener puts it this way, “Jesus scandalously claims the supreme position of attention in his follower’s lives”. The question sits here for us to consider – does Jesus have the right to make these claims upon us?!

If our answer is “yes” … then what are we waiting for!? If we’ve been on the journey for a while … are we expressing our discipleship in the context of our movement around the neighbourhood?

If we are left undecided about Jesus’ claim about being number one, then what do we need to do about that? Who do we need to talk to? What do we need to read? What experience in life do we need some healing in? Can we find a love for Jesus sufficient to give our lives over to him? Try abandoning yourself in worship – being moved by the music and reflecting deeply on the words – releasing the Holy Spirit to do something new. Try persisting in prayer – having conversations with God that lay everything on the line. And tell me (or someone else you trust to guide you well) how it is all going.

The ministry of Jesus, that we are engaging with, is, from beginning to end, based on selfless love and service. No comfortable room in the inn to be born in, and an active life throughout the whole neighbourhood. This is the Christ child whom we worship at Christmas!

"Our Need For Peace" (Luke 2:8-20)

Introduction

In a disruptive and often challenging world, we need to know that God is with us. That is what we talked about last week. What is it about God being with us that means the most? Possibly, it is the broad concept of peace. Into the inner turmoil of our own lives, and into the external pressures of the world … comes the Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ. The little baby of the nativity scene ultimately becomes the person on who the whole destiny of our lives depend.

Will we be able to do life in a way that fulfils our God-given purpose? Will we be able to do life in a way that, when we look back on it, we would have made a difference for good? There is a saying … “What we do in life echoes in eternity”. For those echoes to be positive in the lives of others, then surely we will need a full measure of God’s peace through Jesus.

The Coming of Peace

We need God’s peace both internally and externally, and Jesus provides the way. Last week we saw how the prophet Isaiah spoke of the provision of God in the face of the rebellion of his people. When they forgot or ignored the reality and faithfulness of God, God said that he would remind them of his presence. Enter “Immanuel” – “God is with us”. Isaiah later went on to describe more about this “Immanuel” … in chapter 9, and in verse 6 we read:

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The “Prince of Peace” is the epitome of peace, the source of peace, the example of peace; and this is Jesus. And we need this “Prince of Peace” in our lives, if we are going to ably deal with any darkness or sin within us, and then deal with all the attacks of negativity and evil around us.

What is “peace”?? The Hebrew notion of ‘shalom’ helps us understand what is to be gained here. ‘Shalom’ encompasses all of life … everything from someone’s personal, emotional and spiritual welfare … toward a sense of flourishing, through to a whole nation’s economic, ecological and social well-being. Ultimate ‘shalom’ (or biblical ‘peace’) is the – webbing together of God, humanity and creation … in justice, fulfilment and delight (Plantinga). Such ‘peace’ is about an uninterrupted connectedness to the One who lovingly created us … in the context of everything around us.

We read that the angels said (or sang) to the shepherds, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth … peace among those whom he favours (Luke 2:14). Wow! No wonder then, when these shepherds were given a glimpse of the possibility of ‘shalom’, they said to each other, “Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15). For, shepherds of the time were not well regarded, and whether they deserved this bad reputation or not, this happening would be very good news for them – that the power of the stigma against them, might be overwhelmed by a fresh Divine gift of peace.

So from the words of Isaiah eight centuries earlier, to the song of the angels recorded here in Luke, to the presence of Jesus on earth and in our lives, we are to be expectant concerning a glorious gift of peace. This peace can come to dwell deeply within us, and then become a force for great good as it works its way first through us … and then out of us … into the world.

Who gets this peace?? Those who God favours (2:14)! Who does God favour? Well, as God gives grace to all, and gives an opportunity of relationship with Jesus to all, then those who are “favoured”, are all those who respond and receive this gift of grace! In so doing, these ones are also recipients of God’s peace!! So, as we believe in and follow Jesus, we are being given his peace. As sin is what divorces us from harmony with God, the fact that Jesus took this sin burden upon himself to the cross, liberates us to experience peace.

As we sincerely seek to walk in new ways, there is nothing standing in the way of experiencing peace. We are forgiven, accepted and valued – we belong to Jesus – the “Prince of Peace”. Our peace starts in the vertical plane, where God imparts peace into our lives; but soon, this peace (if it is real), moves into the horizontal plane – where it starts affecting how we live in the world. We start to enjoy peace with others.

When the angel first came to the shepherds, they were terrified! This was out of left field – pretty strange indeed. Yet these shepherds were open to an explanation … they didn’t have closed minds – and an explanation they got! This angelic appearance was actually good news – the long-awaited Messiah had come to his people … to save them from their destructive paths. When these shepherds were open to the possibilities of such truth, and they took those first steps toward Bethlehem – then they were on the road to peace.

Not only this – when the shepherds reached their destination and spoke of what they had seen and heard about the baby Jesus … we read that Mary was deeply encouraged (2:19) – “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” She was at peace! God had worked his peace through these shepherds … deep into the heart of Mary.

Sometimes we will be deeply troubled about issues close to us, or concerns further afield. There will likely be some hardships or conflicts around the next corner. Peace from Jesus may not solve the issue or concern in the short-term, but this peace will steady the storm in our spirit, and will allow us to keep perspective and find ways of participating in the various solutions required. We certainly need this sense of peace, through the hustle and speed that sometimes impacts our lives.

Other times this sense of the availability of peace … will lead us into a time of rest and prayer, so that we don’t get detached from the very source of this peace. When Jesus was comforting his disciples about the hostility that they would face in the future, as they tackled the anti-God ‘principalities and powers’ in the world, he said to them, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This would be part of the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives, as they tackled their God-given mission.

The Sharing of Peace

Having experienced peace personally, how do we contribute to seeing peace in the world?? Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (12:18), and also these words, “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (14:19).

Jesus himself said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you – so that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Matt 5:44-5). This is the sort of activity that turns the way of the world on its head – this is counter-cultural … this is why Jesus came! His disciples are called to set a new standard, and this can be achieved through the peace that now reigns in us! Earlier (in the ‘sermon on the mount’), Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). There is no greater point of identification of the true Christian than this … acts of peace-making!

And this activity of peace-making is never wasted nor unnoticed, and becomes its own reward, for James writes, “… a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace” (3:18). Peace-makers will notice that they are increasingly helping to resolve disputes, quell arguments, reconcile aggrieved parties – where there may have been conflict in the past, this tends NOT to happen anymore. There is a new propensity to live in harmony within one’s environment – with family members, neighbours, people at work, service-providers.

Peace-making must be combined with the seeking of justice, if the peace that results is to be true peace. This brings a great challenge to we modern-day disciples of Jesus. Ross Langmead wrote, “The task is huge, and all we can do is bite off a small corner and begin chewing away at it”. Another saying goes like this: “I wondered why somebody didn’t do something for peace – then I realised that I am somebody” (Anon).

In the Gospel of Luke chapter 4 (vs 16-19), Jesus famously quoted, from that same prophet Isaiah, what his job description on earth would be: bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, letting the oppressed go free, embracing the year of Jubilee pardon; deliberately stopping in his reading of Isaiah prior to any mention of vengeance! This reinforced a new human standard; one that has unfortunately been largely neglected.

Ancient prophets Isaiah (2:4) and Micah (4:3) cast a glorious vision of the Kingdom of God and Eternal Heaven, where various weapons of war (swords and spears) are converted into ploughshares and pruning hooks i.e. the productive tools of farming. This should be how we aim to live now! These prophecies were given, and embraced by Jesus, so that we might live and work according to God’s ways (even in the midst of chaos).

The prophets, Jesus, Paul and James, all point out the reasons why peace in the world escapes us. We could easily form a list. James, for one, talks about conflicts and disputes coming out of the cravings that are at war within us (4:1). Discord has its roots from the smallest incidence of personal selfishness through to international power-hungry greed. We should NOT accept things the way they are – personally … inside us, or globally … about us! Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27).

Yet, so often we get twisted up about things, or others respond to our overtures of peace by slamming a door in our face, and then we are confronted in the world by one act of violence after another. We can easily get weary of the struggle. But we can’t give up on the possibility of peace while we serve the ‘Prince of Peace’. This is NOT an option! So what can we do – and not just as a last resort?? We can pray … and thus seek new insight, patience, or whatever it is we need to keep pursuing a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5).

A Story of Forgiveness

In 1986, Linda White’s 26 year-old pregnant daughter was raped and shot dead by two 15 year-old boys … who she had stopped to help (because their car had broken down). Naturally Linda was overcome with grief and anger with what had happened to her daughter. She recalls, “I didn’t see [those] boys as humans at that time – I was pleased when they both were sentenced to long terms in prison”. At first Linda and her husband joined victim-support groups – but they felt scant comfort there; she said, “Nobody moved, everyone stayed the same – I didn’t want to be five years down the road, and [still] be the way they were … full of bitterness”.

Courageously, Linda asked to meet in person with her daughter’s murderers. She was able to meet with one of them – Gary Brown. Linda was astonished at how young and vulnerable he looked. He had been abused and neglected early in his life. In their meeting, Gary expressed total remorse and offered no excuses for his crime. Linda describes the encounter as “incredibly healing”. Her feelings changed. Linda’s grief was transformed into a kind of love that other worldviews are at a loss to explain – a love so profound … that it led to her forgiving her daughter’s killers. She said that Gary’s resolve to live a better life was the only atonement he could make, and all that can be asked of him.

Gary Brown was released from prison in 2010, having served 23 years, a remarkably different person. But Linda was released too – from old ideas that chained her to hate. She had become an advocate of ‘restorative justice’, which helps victims find peace, and gives offenders a chance to try to make things right. Linda White sacrificed her ‘right’ to see her daughter’s murder avenged – instead choosing love and grace over vengeance. She eventually came to see the murderer as human. Her selfless love gave Gary hope that he could change. This is a ministry of peace and reconciliation. This is the Gospel! This is what Jesus has done for all of us, and what Jesus calls us to do for others. [Source: Jeff Myers, Outreach Magazine, 22 Aug 2017.]

Conclusion

Jesus demonstrated what it was like to live in this peace. As the ‘Prince of Peace’, Jesus was able to deal effectively with untold challenges of evil – the temptation of Satan, the presence of demons (and all sorts of sickness and incapacity), the harsh criticism of religious officialdom, and the rejection of the people in his own hometown of Nazareth. Have you imagined the sort of emotional strain that Jesus lived under at times!! No wonder he wanted to get away to pray at certain occasions!

Yet, when such times of prayer were regularly interrupted by another ministry demand, Jesus was able to respond perfectly to the needs of the minute. This was peace! In that scene in Luke 4, where the people of Nazareth wanted to throw Jesus off the cliff because of their rejection of his peace-laden teaching, we read that “[Jesus] passed through the midst of them and went on his way” (4:30).

Every time the Pharisees (and the like) tried to trap Jesus into some sort of contradiction in his teaching, Jesus was able to creatively tell a story or point to something, that just rang true (and liberated people from the oppression they were being held under). Ultimately, the peace within Jesus ... meant that he was able to endure the cross, not stepping away from it, despite natural human inclinations to want to. The peace within him … urged Jesus to want to bring this peace to others. And under the torture of a severe flogging and the cross itself, rather than thinking revenge, Jesus said (incredibly), “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

How do we get this peace? Simply surrender to Jesus and receive his forgiveness. Begin to follow Jesus as his disciple, under his care and discipline. Immerse yourself in the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – to see how Jesus exhibited peace in all his actions and interactions. And then, start to track the level at which you could describe yourself as a peacemaker.

Do you forgive others, or tend to hold resentment. There is NO peace for those who hold grudges! Do you tend to divide or reconcile? Do you celebrate division, or rather actively seek harmony in relationships? Are you active in building strong and harmonious community? Do you deal well with difference and diversity, such that you see the possibilities of people from all nations coming together in God’s kingdom?

Isaiah (in 11:6-9) provides a vision of creation put back right ... through peace:

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
   the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
   and a little child shall lead them.
⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze,
   their young shall lie down together;
   and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
   and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
⁹ They will not hurt or destroy
   on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
   as the waters cover the sea.

We need the peace that only Jesus brings. Amen!

Blessing

May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

"God With Us" (Matthew 1:18-25)

Prelude

They shall name him “Immanuel – God is with us”! How much do we need God to be with us? What does it mean that God is with us?? Everything about how we have been created means that we need God to be with us! We cannot thrive, or even really survive, without God with us! Humanity has a void that can only be properly filled by God’s presence with us. And then, with God with us, we can fulfil the purpose for which we were created, i.e. to love and serve others … so that they may also know God (to their full capacity).

Introduction

This Christmas narrative in Matthew is tense! Far from a peaceful scene, it begins with anxiety. But this tension will be resolved through the mention of one word, one name, one title … “Immanuel”. Life can be awkward and tense and just plain difficult at times. Often we look forward to Christmas, for a bit of a diversion, something different or something predictable. Yet, the message of Christmas is NOT about a temporary escape from reality and some holidays. The message of Christmas is certainly NOT about excessive consumerism. The message of Christmas is NOT even just about a heart-warming nativity scene. The message of Christmas is … “Immanuel” … “God with us”.

The Prophet Isaiah

We first read of “Immanuel” back in Isaiah chapter 7. In the 8^th Century BCE, the people of God in Judah, under their king Ahaz, were living in the midst of upheaval and terror, under threat from nations all around them. Two nations were making aggressive advances wanting King Ahaz to side with them against the might and power of Assyria, while Ahaz himself was inclined toward saving his own skin and aligning (or making a pact) with Assyria. How bad was their situation, with threats building all around them? We read in Isaiah 7:2, “… the heart of Ahaz, and the heart of his people, shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind”. Where would they turn for help … what decisions would be made … how well would their king lead them?

Isaiah 7 goes on to point out that, in this tense and threatening situation, that God was being left out! God’s availability to his people was being ignored. Pretty ungrateful one thinks, when you consider God’s mighty provision and faithfulness in the past. King Ahaz had either closed his mind to God, preferred his own counsel, or doubted what God could do for them – one of those! And this was going to lead nowhere good!! So the prophet Isaiah took King Ahaz aside for some sound advice. God, through Isaiah, brought these words: … the Lord himself will give you a sign – look, the young woman is with child, and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (7:14).

This was meant to be a stark reminder! They would have been well aware that “Immanuel” means ‘God is with us’. Hey … get this into your head … God is here for you to turn to … you need to decide to do so. This is an open invitation that can easily be accepted! Because of this … the king should not fear such threat, the people should certainly not trust in the military power of other nations, and no one should forget that God (despite any appearances to the contrary) could be with them; that they would not be destroyed if they kept the faith! On the other hand, to lack, or give up on, faith … could only result … in taking the wrong path and arriving at the wrong destination.

For those with an eye of faith toward God, there would be better days ahead. There will be a sign – a significant birth in the not too distant future – maybe the king’s own son who would become a much better king (in the line and tradition of David). Keep the faith, and God will see you through the current threat. Isaiah’s foreign policy advice to King Ahaz, was to rely on God alone, rather than seeking to form any political alliances with foreign powers. There’s no need to go to Assyria for help – they cannot, and should not, be trusted with your future well-being. Don’t over-react, don’t panic – and as they would say in Hawaii … ‘hang loose’. Sometimes people are so desperate to see their own agenda fulfilled, or a particular threat dispensed with, they don’t care who they associate with … they over-react with less than clear-thinking. No, says Isaiah, just trust in God; and God will deal with your future well-being!

[I wrote this at the same time as texting with a victim of family and institutional sexual abuse … that I have reconnected with after many years. Understandably, his belief has been sorely tested and all but disappeared. Yet, being deeply entrenched in these passages from Isaiah and Matthew, I couldn’t help but share my hope … that he would sense that God was with him … in his long struggle for health and justice.]

Unfortunately King Ahaz went his own way, and did his own thing – to his own and his people’s detriment. “Whatever we rely on instead of trusting in God, will eventually turn and devour us” (Barry Webb). Yet God continued to speak through his prophets, suggesting His nearness … if the people would just change their ways. And, we know well, that this particular prophetic word from Isaiah could be called upon eight centuries later, when the notion of “God is with us” reaches its peak and its climax! An ultimate child would be born (in the line of David) to fulfil God’s plans for humanity. Now, in the 1^st century context of Roman oppression and human sinfulness, there will be new hope!!

Matthew’s Advent

Let’s consider now Joseph’s complex situation. The woman he loved, and was betrothed to (meaning, under a binding commitment with), was pregnant – but he, Joseph, certainly was NOT the father. So here was a potential betrayal to deal with. Yet Joseph cared for Mary, and didn’t want to see her publicly ostracised (or worse, stoned for adultery) – so we read that he, “planned to dismiss her quietly” (which could be done through two witnesses). [We should note that Joseph was considered “righteous”, not because he would do what was culturally expected (a public shaming of Mary), but rather because he would do what God expected (something far more inclined toward understanding and an openness to what God was about to reveal)!]

Still, we might imagine the emotional mess that Joseph would have been in! We can be going about our lives, reasonably happily, and then suddenly a ‘spanner’ of some type and description gets thrown into the works … and sometimes right in our face. So, yet again, in the face of difficult circumstances, we hear the angel quoting Isaiah … reassuring Joseph (Matt 1:23), that despite all the remarkable and difficult things happening around him at the moment, he could be assured that ultimately all these events would culminate in a sign of God’s presence. This is God’s ongoing pattern – right from the Garden of Eden, through Old Testament times, to Jesus of Nazareth, to the beginnings of the church, to today, into eternity – “God is with us”! For those who will be obedient, and for those with eyes to see, God is bringing his purposes forward.

In fact, the angel informs Joseph, this son to be born … is the ultimate fulfilment of what God had shared with Isaiah so long ago. This child has NOT been conceived through another man, but through the Holy Spirit. The Trinity of God is all over this!! The Son to be named Jesus will become the source of salvation for all people. The name Jesus means … ‘God is salvation’. So, in Jesus, “God is with us” very personally indeed – in flesh and blood. This should make all the difference for Joseph – he just had to trust that this was true! And … despite all the anxiety around his current situation, we read that, “[Joseph] did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” – and thus he trusted God for how everything would turn out.

What difference does it make for us to know for sure that “God is with us”!?! Is this just a theological proposition or a daily reality? It actually means everything! “God is with us” is a constant message of hope building in our lives! It doesn’t mean that all things, or even anything, will be easy and without complication, but it does mean that we will have a source of guidance and peace available in every situation. Nothing around Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus is going be straightforward or easy. Joseph will still have to cope with all the whispers behind his back and accusations behind the scenes. For many will say, that if Joseph went through with this marriage, he must have been the father, and therefore a real sinner. That fact that “God is with us”, meant that Joseph could deal with any character assassination (of he or Mary), and continue to do the right thing. Joseph would simply press on, he would be obedient, because “God is with us”.

When you know you are on the right path, God’s path for you, the words of the unenlightened should NEVER dissuade or divert us. We simply trust in God. Joseph just did as the Lord commanded! Because Joseph believed in “God is with us”, the wonderful plans of God went forward! There was the tough trip to Bethlehem ahead, seeking accommodation there with few resources to spend, the birth of the baby happening in not the best of conditions, the strange visitors – disreputable shepherds and gentile astrologers, and the need to pick up their lives and flee to Egypt for an unknown period (under the threat of Jesus being sought out and murdered by Herod). You would have to trust that God was with you through all this – and that is exactly what Joseph did!!

And we should say, as we read in Luke’s account, that Mary trusted God just as much, if not more! What follows is a safe birth, despite humble surroundings; encouragement from the shepherds; the gifts of the wise men – followed by their decision not to return to King Herod; and a safe passage to Egypt to avoid the worst Herod’s tyranny. Ultimately there would be sufficiently wise parental nurture, that would allow for Jesus, at the age of thirty, to begin his world-changing mission. It just changes how we view life, and how we ‘do’ life, when we know that “God is with us”!

To turn this “God is with us” notion from a theological proposition into a daily reality, we may need to get into the habit of picturing Jesus being with us as we carry out even some of life’s most mundane activities. We begin to see “God with us” in whatever we are doing, wherever we are. Eating around the family dinner table – oh yes, “God is with us”. There could be tensions at home around some of the events of the day, and as we know that “God is with us”, we may just be able to recognise a positive way forward … that otherwise might have alluded us. What would “God is with us” mean … for a committee meeting or a small group gathering, where differing opinions were beginning to be expressed? It would mean that there will always be a road toward good discernment, harmony and mutual growth. When at the doctor’s or having an operation, “God is with us” means that there is always someone else in the ‘room’.

“God is with us” also means that some of the beauty, love and peace of Jesus can rub off on us. If “God is with us”, then we can truly be transformed every minute or every day toward the image of Jesus. As our sins are forgiven, and our burdens are lifted, we are light and hope-filled people who can make a difference for good on an ever-increasing scale. We can just imagine that as “God is with us”, then God would also be in some of the most troubled places around the world, drawing close to all the suffering that persists in so many places – and these situations too … could still be transformed.

Conclusion

God has come to us personally at Christmas. Through this greatest of all blessings, we have the possibility of a new friend, coach, mentor, Saviour and Lord. As we follow Jesus daily, he abides with us. Sometimes he walks beside, sometimes he leads from out front, sometimes he pushes us on from behind; other times he carries us. Jesus leads us into a life of purpose and mission. And, as he promised to his disciples (at the other end of Matthew’s Gospel), Jesus will be with us … always (28:20b).

Jesus gave us the most challenging of job descriptions – seeking and finding the lost (which we talked about last week) – just about impossible without the sort of wisdom and guidance that only God can give. Here is the task – then follows the promise: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father … Son and … Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you – and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. “God is with us”! Amen!!

"Sweeping Up" (Luke 15:1:10)

Introduction

We know well that God wants to rescue those who are lost in life. And the parables of Luke 15 reinforce this. The “Pharisees and scribes” – the religious elite of Jesus’ day – to whom Jesus originally told these parables – needed to be continually challenged about this … as they found reasons why the ‘sinners’ should remain as outcasts – that pure religion should be protected from such as these. The “Pharisees” were critical of Jesus for associating with those rejected from mainstream society, and so therefore they came under strong condemnation from Jesus.

For, God places high value on all people. Anyone who is lost should be sought for God’s kingdom. We also know that God is wanting to continually reach out to those who are lost … through us. This is our highest priority! So, how can we see a breakthrough in our evangelism? We can certainly find some clues in this parable. This would also apply to those who have drifted away, having previously exhibited faith and been part of the kingdom community.

Losing a Coin

Today we will specifically look at the ‘parable of the lost coin’ – where the meaning is very clear. A valuable coin is lost, a search is undertaken; and when the coin is found, there is a party. God feels about lost people, the way this woman felt about losing one-tenth of what she had. It just had to be recovered! Such is God’s character: God wants the lost to be redeemed, because they are His. So, no time nor effort would be spared in any such patient and persistent search!! The whole house would be turned upside down if necessary! And following the recovery of someone that belongs to Him, such is their infinite value in God’s sight, the whole community of God would celebrate.

Who are the lost? From God’s perspective … these are those who have NOT had any real opportunity of forming a relationship with Him. These are also those, as we said, that, for a vast variety of reasons, have chosen to walk away from God and His church. In many cases, this lack of a relationship with God has led to many negative outcomes in life – through less-than-best decision-making and relational disruption. Despite this, just like in ‘the parable of the prodigal son’ that follows, all God desires is a change of mind, and a sincere heartfelt response to Him, and things can be put right – people can be ‘found’.

Who are the lost? For many and varied reasons … they are the abused and the abusers, the oppressed and the oppressors, the victims and the perpetrators, prisoners – both innocent and guilty; there are the poor and the wealthy, the hungry and those with plenty, the homeless and those with many options, refugees – who have no place to go, all those who struggle under addiction, those who suffer with their physical and mental health … and those who turn their heads the other way; the atheist and the sceptic – those who deny the existence and grace of God, and those who have made themselves their own ‘false’ god; and then, there is also just your normal everyday struggler – the disappointed, hurt, sorrowful and broken. We are all lost, until we are found!

Here is a parable with a simple application – but the part of this that caught my imagination … was the sweeping of the house that went on before the lost coin was found. At the risk of pushing the parable further than was intended, I was reflecting on the implications of needing to sweep the floor before the coin could be found. Obviously there was the usual dirt and dust, that, depending upon the quality of the house-keeping, may just obscure where this coin had rolled. What is it that we may need to sweep up and out?

We note that first … the woman lit her lamp. Even if this incident happened during the day, if you wanted to find something in the dimly lit houses of the time, with their very limited windows, you would need to apply some extra light to the search. And in any case, a good dose of light would be required to see deep into the corners, and under the furniture. Then, in getting out the broom, there may just be a little tinkle of sound, or a reflection of light, when the somewhat invisible coin was moved by a brush of the broom. So it was, in the process of applying light, and then sweeping up around the house, that the lost coin (of great value) was found. What is it that we may need to sweep up and out??

Finding a Coin

What may we need to sweep up, before we find the lost coins of our community? This applies both to our individual lives, as well as to our life together as the church! What might need to be swept up … and out, before we become effective channels of God’s blessing to people around us?? How can we sweep out our house, so that we can become unhindered vehicles of grace? What would be our particular dirt and dust that means we can’t quite see the lost coin?? Yep … our own sin! But before we start forming a list like ‘the Pharisees and scribes’ may have, limited to moralistic judgments, we should turn on our best source of light, i.e. the ‘Light of the World’, the person of Jesus, and reflect on his life, attitudes and priorities.

Sweeping up what?? What about … any unnecessary barriers to people finding God. Anything that obscures Jesus from view! Anything that makes faith harder than it should be (for people to consider)! This would include unfair or negative or judgmental attitudes to people; and certainly would include any expressions of bitterness and unforgiveness. This would include any destructive or abusive behaviours that don’t speak well of God. This would include any speech that is ungracious toward others. This would include any manipulative or controlling behaviours that undermine others.

This would include any inward exclusive thinking that is only inclined toward our own preferences. This would include that faith-reducing risk-adverse desire for self-preservation. And, any show of disunity in the church based purely on personal agendas or selfishness must be swept out. Being negative will just leave the lost … lost! We need to confess any form of negativity, and be changed. We need to forgive and work towards harmony. Formality and traditions must give way to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Any unwillingness to grow in discipleship (or, ‘sanctification’, or transformation toward being new creation) is also likely to be an inhibitor to the onlooker. This tends toward being considered hypocritical i.e. claiming the name (and sacrifice) of Jesus, without paying enough attention to what Jesus stands for. Are we willing to have our world-views and life-patterns conformed to the person and mission of Jesus? Some of these old ‘world-views’ or ‘life-patterns’ have been long-held, even inherited; but they should be up for the scrutiny of God’s Word … as revealed and understood through Jesus, and swept aside as necessary. Negative areas that have become ‘strongholds’ over us, will need particular and concerted attention.

Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MINDS, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect”. Faith is NOT static NOR passive – faith should be disruptive … dislodging us from comfort! Can we love our persecutors? Can we model mercy? Can we truly care for our neighbour? This is what Jesus was about! And this is what can be really impressive! We can become like Jesus. This is what happens when we turn on the light and sweep the floor. And then we can notice the lost!

To model a positive example of how a life is being transformed toward the good, which involves a deep compassion and empathy for the hurting, can only speak well of God. And … a church that can model a harmonious collection of very diverse people, functioning effectively together for the good of the whole community, can only speak well of God. Being willing to worship God in all faith, hope and joy, despite personal preferences not always being fulfilled, is a powerful witness to the reality of a caring and transforming God. Sometimes in the church, even when it’s uncomfortable to do so, we just have to change what we do, and put aside our own preferences, for the sake of the lost!

Sometimes we can put up certain beliefs we hold, as of higher importance than others coming to know Jesus. Can they be … really?! We don’t mean to, but because we hold certain beliefs so tightly, we in effect block others from meeting with God. We need to allow others to encounter a loving saving Jesus first, trusting that helpful belief patterns can follow later. Without neglecting the basic principles of salvation through Jesus, we should be open-minded and interested enough to enter dialogue with those coming from different perspectives – if this means that someone may become interested in Jesus. As just one example, there is NO reason why science and theology cannot be friends in the pursuit of truth, rather than adversaries.

We sometimes forget the journey we have been taken on ourselves … from being lost to being found. The reality of where we are now … can make us forget where we once were. Where we have arrived is only through God’s love and grace. This is a reminder about being humble, rather than in any sense superior or perfect. We need to connect in a human way, for ‘human’ is how God made us. Elisa Morgan writes (ODB 25 Nov 2017), “Perhaps … the best response to humans in crisis is to be human, to be aware that we are all the same; after all, isn’t this what God did when He sent His Son – [he] became human in order to help us”. {The party happened when the lost coin was found, not when all the i’s were dotted and t’s crossed.}

In terms of bringing back those who have turned away – being open, vulnerable and real … as humans … is the only way we are likely to guide them back to Jesus. Those who have had their trust broken, built deep resentment, become socially distant, and regressed into themselves – need to be non-judgmentally heard. Having been listened to, they likely need to hear recent and relevant stories of how faith in Jesus works for us. We need to provide, as best we can, a consistent witness to the hope, peace and purpose of following Jesus. We need to be looking for that Divine moment of opportunity!!!

Without pandering to, or enabling, inappropriate or unhelpful behaviour, we need to express unconditional love. True sincere love for others can break down any walls that may exist. You don’t have to agree with the way people live … and believe … to love them.

Conclusion

Sweeping up is a form of de-cluttering – making more space for God’s Spirit to work. We need to sweep the floor, so that we might provide the safest, healthiest, and most redeeming of spiritual communities for all those around us. We need to do everything possible to provide a beautiful place of worship and ministry, that is free of superficiality and hypocrisy. Otherwise … why be here?!?

Have a think! What do you want to sweep away (and get rid of) to make more space for the lost?? An attitude? A resentment? A behaviour pattern? A habit? A distraction? A critical spirit? Being judgmental? Being rigid? Being unloving? Pride? Apathy?

We need to, “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) – so that we might emulate the life of Jesus in our life. Yet, this is not just for our sake, but for the sake of the ‘lost coins’! We need to get all the healing from God’s Spirit that is necessary, so that we are fully released to love others.

Despite the challenges that exist in the world, and despite our own personal difficulties, we should be able to show, to all and sundry, that it is Jesus that gets us up and going each morning. This is NOT the work of tomorrow, which might be seen as a better day; but it is always the work of today!